Specific measures to reduce encounters with wild animals
According to the data of the company “Via Lietuva”, currently 916 km of network fences with related specialized means for migration are installed in the national road network: 15 underground passages for large wild animals, 14 underground passages for medium and small animals, 15 protection systems for amphibians, 1 green bridge.
In 2023-2025, as part of road reconstruction projects, “Via Lietuva” plans to install another 121 km of network fences, 2 underpasses for large animals, 2 underpasses for medium and small animals, 1 green bridge and 3 amphibian protection systems in the country.
“Completely eliminating the introduction of wild animals to the road is impossible, because wild animals living in the wild often change their location. However, we carefully assess all risks and take the necessary decisions to help ensure the safety of road users.
Engineering protection measures against animals on the roads are installed taking into account the category of the road, current and predicted traffic intensity, permissible driving speed, animal migration corridors established in the territory, areas of increased animal movement”, emphasizes Martynas Gedaminskas, head of the Via Lietuva Infrastructure and Support Group.
Last year, the construction of the first green bridge in Lithuania for the migration of animals was completed on the “Via Baltica” road. Another green bridge will be installed by the end of next year on the longest section of the road from Marijampolė to the Lithuanian-Polish border currently being reconstructed. Green bridges are one of the most modern and best-practice traffic safety and environmental solutions in Europe.
Tips for drivers – what is the most important thing to pay attention to?
During animal migration, in spring and autumn, drivers are advised to ensure that the car is not only in technical order, but also with clean windows from the inside and outside, with working and clean lights before each trip. Equally important is the fact that, if possible, travel should be planned during daylight hours.
Drivers should also pay attention to the warning road sign no. 131 “Wild Beasts”, which warns of entering a road section where an increased migration of wild animals is recorded. In these sections, the probability of encountering a wild animal is higher, so drivers should be even more careful in such sections of the road.
When trying to scare an animal, it should not be scared by signaling with short and long lights, because the behavior of a blinded animal becomes unpredictable. It is recommended to press the buzzer at intervals.
If the car has to be stopped, the brake pedal should be pressed hard, but in this case it is important not to lose the grip of the wheels on the road surface. When it is too late to brake, you should try to go around the animal standing on the road, but not from the side where its head is facing. When performing this maneuver, you should carefully observe the oncoming traffic to avoid a collision with an oncoming car.
